Express, AP, and Dining?

[aubriee]

I've got some newbie questions if you don't mind:

I keep reading about Express and Front of the Line passes. Exactly what are they, do you need them, how much do they cost, are they good for both parks, and how are the ones you buy when you get there different from the ones people get for staying at the US resorts? I'll be staying offsite. If I'm there the first week of May and the last week of October would I need them? How about maybe the first week in Dec? Also does US have single rider lines and if so for which rides?

I bought the $99.00 2 park 7 day unlimited admission tickets. I bought one for both my May and Oct trip. Would it be a better deal, to use the ticket for May then upgrade that ticket to an AP when I get there to use for my Oct trip, then save the extra $99.00 ticket for a future trip or better to just go ahead and use the tickets as I originally intended? I go to Orlando several times a year, but usually just do WDW. (I do have a WDW AP.) I will also be in Orlando in Dec, but not sure if I'll be going back to US. If I do go, it would only be for 2-3 days each trip.

I've never been to US and for some reason can't seem to picture how it's set up geographically. Exactly how long does it take to do each park? When I go in Sept (and maybe Dec) I'll be solo and won't be doing the big coasters, but when I go in Oct my husband will be with me and we'll probably want to do everything. How big is each US park? (compared in size to which WDW park?)

One more question, is City Walk close enough to run over there for lunch? If so, which restaurants do you recommend? I'm an not a burger person, but will eat just about anything else. Thanks!

 

[xApril]

The Express pass lets you bypass the line. I'm not sure how much it costs, but I've heard it varies from like $30-$40 and it's for both parks. The ones that you buy allow you to do each attraction once. They scan your pass and that's how they know you've done it already. Onsite resort guests can go back to the attractions multiple times. I think by May, the Spring Breakers should be pretty much almost gone. Halloweentime may be a bit busy though. The first week of December may be calm. Best to just go and see how the crowds are, then buy an express pass if needed.

Single Rider lines are available at:
Revenge of the Mummy
Men in Black
Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit
The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman
Doctor Doom's Fearfall
Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls
The Incredible Hulk Coaster

There could be more, but I think that covers it all. Universal does a very good job with Single Rider lines. They're much more efficient compared to Disney's.

I'm not really sure about tickets, sorry. But I think if you're going to go back multiple times in the year, it'd probably be a wise investment. I got an annual pass for Christmas and I've already been 4 times since getting one, but then again, I am local.

I think they have maps of Universal on the website, so you could check that out. It depends on your pace of walking. I know I can personally exit Universal Studios and get to the dropoff area in about 8 minutes, so.. I'd imagine it would take me around 5 minutes to get to Islands of Adventure. If you walk on the slower side, it'd be about 10 minutes.

Citywalk is right there when you exit both of the parks as it is connected. I've never ate at Citywalk, but I'm sure others can help you there.

 

[Metro West]

I've got some newbie questions if you don't mind:

I keep reading about Express and Front of the Line passes. Exactly what are they, do you need them, how much do they cost, are they good for both parks, and how are the ones you buy when you get there different from the ones people get for staying at the US resorts? I'll be staying offsite. If I'm there the first week of May and the last week of October would I need them? How about maybe the first week in Dec? Also does US have single rider lines and if so for which rides? There is no such thing as a Front of the Line pass...people on the DIS use this incorrect term for unlimited Express access for onsite guests. The Express Plus passes are good for one time through the Express lane. I would never recommend buying Express passes ahead of time. You should get to the park and see what the lines are like before spending the money. The cost depends on the anticipated crowd level that day...if the crowd is expected to be low, the EP's are usually $19.95 but if it's a busy time, they could be as much as $54.99. The difference between the Express pass you buy and the unlimited access by staying onsite is just that...onsite guests get unlimited Express access for the duration of their stay.

I bought the $99.00 2 park 7 day unlimited admission tickets. I bought one for both my May and Oct trip. Would it be a better deal, to use the ticket for May then upgrade that ticket to an AP when I get there to use for my Oct trip, then save the extra $99.00 ticket for a future trip or better to just go ahead and use the tickets as I originally intended? I go to Orlando several times a year, but usually just do WDW. (I do have a WDW AP.) I will also be in Orlando in Dec, but not sure if I'll be going back to US. If I do go, it would only be for 2-3 days each trip. I think you would be better to upgrade to the AP since you would be able to get free parking and park discounts on food and merchandise. Save those other tickets for another time.

I've never been to US and for some reason can't seem to picture how it's set up geographically. Exactly how long does it take to do each park? When I go in Sept (and maybe Dec) I'll be solo and won't be doing the big coasters, but when I go in Oct my husband will be with me and we'll probably want to do everything. How big is each US park? (compared in size to which WDW park?) I don't know the exact measurements of the parks but both are a good size. Depending on the season and what you want to do there, it could take as little as a couple of hours or it could take all day. There are too many variables to really give you a time.

One more question, is City Walk close enough to run over there for lunch? If so, which restaurants do you recommend? I'm an not a burger person, but will eat just about anything else. Thanks! CityWalk is easily accessable to both parks so having lunch there is not a big deal. I would suggest Margaritaville, Hard Rock Cafe or just about any restaurant over there. NASCAR has some monster nachos if you wanted to challenge yourself.

My answers in blue.

 

[Purseval]

I've got some newbie questions if you don't mind:

I keep reading about Express and Front of the Line passes. Exactly what are they, do you need them, how much do they cost, are they good for both parks, and how are the ones you buy when you get there different from the ones people get for staying at the US resorts? I'll be staying offsite. If I'm there the first week of May and the last week of October would I need them? How about maybe the first week in Dec?

Express Passes let you get in a special line that bypasses the regular line and gets you to the ride much faster. They are only good for 1 admission to each elegible ride and vary in price from $30-70/day, depending on anticipated crowds. The times you mentioned should put them at the low end of the price range. Hotel guests have a permanent EP which lets them go through the rides as many times as they want. Personally I don't consider the ones you buy in the parks to be worth it.

I bought the $99.00 2 park 7 day unlimited admission tickets. I bought one for both my May and Oct trip. Would it be a better deal, to use the ticket for May then upgrade that ticket to an AP when I get there to use for my Oct trip, then save the extra $99.00 ticket for a future trip or better to just go ahead and use the tickets as I originally intended? I go to Orlando several times a year, but usually just do WDW. (I do have a WDW AP.) I will also be in Orlando in Dec, but not sure if I'll be going back to US. If I do go, it would only be for 2-3 days each trip.

I take it you can add and subtract. If you know the price of an AP and you know how many days you'll be going for you can figure that out on your own. Don't forget to think about your eating and buying habits when you're in a park because you also get discounts with an AP.

I've never been to US and for some reason can't seem to picture how it's set up geographically. Exactly how long does it take to do each park? When I go in Sept (and maybe Dec) I'll be solo and won't be doing the big coasters, but when I go in Oct my husband will be with me and we'll probably want to do everything. How big is each US park? (compared in size to which WDW park?)

Getting from one park to another would be like walking from the Dumbo ride to Space Mountain, quick and easy. CityWalk is between the 2 parks so you can easily pop out for a meal at any time. You can do both parks in a day, especially if you're skipping Hulk, Dueling Dragons, RRnR and The Mummy. Sizewise, each is about the size of Disney Hollywood Studios. Each park is also roughly circular so you can start at point A, keep going in one direction and eventually end up back where you started.

One more question, is City Walk close enough to run over there for lunch? If so, which restaurants do you recommend? I'm an not a burger person, but will eat just about anything else. Thanks!

CityWalk is similar to Downtown Disney in that you can get anything from a burger to a gourmet meal that will send you into shock when they hand you the bill. Some of the best theme park restaurants in the world are also right inside the parks so you don't even have to leave. Check the fine print on those 7-day passes, some of them also get you admission to the CityWalk clubs at night if you feel like an evening stroll or going dancing.

The same rules apply to Universal as any other major theme park: if you arrive early and are there when the park opens you can be through the big attractions before they get crowded then spend the rest of your day enjoying the scenery while others are standing in line. Enjoy your trips.